Automatic switch for starting-motors on automobiles



Feb. 14, 195o v F, JEZEK 2,497,222

AUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR STARTING-MOTORS 0N AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 13, 1947 INVENToR.

Louls F. JEZEK 4. BY

LE-11E" ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 14, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC SWITCH FOR STARTING- MOTORS ON AUTOMOBILES My invention relates to improvement in electric switches and more particularly to switches used for the starting-motor of an automobile engine.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a switch so constructed that, after having been set to close an electric circuit for starting the motor, the switch will automatically open, after this function has been performed.

In order to start a car, provided with my switch, the ignition is first turned on and the gear lever put into neutral position. A ilexible operating wire is then caused to run out far enough to engage and move a starter switch button to switch closing position and thus energize the starter. As soon as the engine is running, the reduced pressure in the air intake manifold will cause a reduced pressure in a diaphragm casing, which eiIects movement of the starter button away from .the ilexible rod to open the starter switch. If the engine should be stalled, this button moves out to a position where contact is again made with said rod and the starter switch is closed.

These and other objects and advantages will be made clear from the subjoined description with the aid of the attached drawings, wherein like numerals denote the same details inthe different views.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the automatic switch and the flexible operating rod with connections;

Figure 2 is a vertical section along an axial plane at rightangles to Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view as seen from the manifold or suction end of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the switch.

housing showing the button controlling spring and the bridging element.

In the drawing numeral III denotes a portion of the intake manifold of an automobile engine. To the suction pipe II for the manifold is attached a screw plug I2 which is part of a vacuum cell or diaphragm casing I3 between the two end cups I4 of which is stretched a diaphragm I5 in the usual manner. On one side yof said diaphragm is secured the end of a sliding stem or bar I6 which is guided in a yoke II to which the casing I3 is bolted.

The end of the sliding stem or bar I6 has a foot I8 at right angles thereto on which is placed a small housing I9 containing a spring actuated switch push button 2l. This button carries a bridging element 20a adapted to make contact between the terminals 2I when pushed up.

To the end of an arm on the yoke I1 is clamped, as at 22, one end of the guide tube 23 of a Bowden wire through which is slidably extended the flexible wire 24, the -working end 25 of which extends beyond the end of the tube 23, in alinement with the bush button 20.

The opposite end of the flexible guide tube 23 is clamped as at 26 to a bracket 21 which is hung on the dash board or on the steering wheel in convenient position for the driver to reach. The operating end of the flexible wire 24 extends beyond the end 26 of the guide tube 23 and is provided with a knob or handle 28. This knob 28 may be grasped by hand to shift the wire 25, or it may be placed in a position where, by laterally moving the gear shift lever when such lever is in neutral position, the lever may press against the knob to cause the desired shifting of the wire.

This switch for the starting motor operates as follows: In order to start an automobile provided with my automatic `switch, the ignition circuit is first closed in the customary manner and the gear lever put in neutral. By then pushing the wire 24 by hand, or by lateral movement of the shift lever as described, the wire end 25 will be projected to press the button 20, thereby closing the starter circuit at 2|. When the engine starts the reduced pressure produced in the manifold causes the diaphragm I5 to be lifted, thereby raising the housing I9 and pervmitting the spring to push the button 20 down and remove the bridging element 20a from electrical connection with the contacts 2l. now remains on the diaphragm until the motor stalls. Then the diaphragm I5 returns to its normal or central position, as seen in Figure 2, thereby dropping the stem I6, so that the button 20 is again pressed against the operating end 25 of the flexible rod 24, which has remained by friction in the position to which it was ilrst moved, and automatically closes the circuit at 2 I.

It is to be understood that the invention as herein disclosed may be varied from the details described and shown without departure from the spirit of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. Automatic starting mechanism for an internal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an electric starting motor, comprising a vacuum cell, having a partitioning diaphragm a tubular connection between one side of said cell and the intake manifold whereby reduction of pressure in the manifold will eilect the movement Suction v of the diaphragm ln one direction, a stem connected with the opposite side of the diaphragm from the tubular connection and extending outwardly from said cell, a circuit closing switch including a housing, a pair of terminals carried thereby, a spring pressed element in the housthe entire switch unit and movement of the spring pressed element away from the reciprocable member permitting opening of the switch.

' 2. Automatic starting mechanism for an in- I ternal combustion engine having an intake manifold and an electric starting motor, comprising a vacuum cell having a diaphragm, a tubular connection between one side of said cell and said manifold whereby reduction of pressure in the manifold effects the movement of the diaphragm in one direction in the cell, a guide yoke attached to the cell, a stem connected with the diaphragm upon the side opposite from the tubular connection and extending outwardly through the guide yoke, a starting motor switch carried by the sliding stem and including a housing, terminals on the housing, a spring pressed button in the housing and means carried by the button for bridging the terminals, and means for electing the closing of the switch comprising a reciprocably supported Wire attached at one end to said yoke for movement in a line paralleling the movement of the sliding stem and in alignment with said switch button, and means facilitating the reciprocation of the wire from a position remote from the switch, said wire when moved in one y direction having said end thereof pressed against the switch button to eiect the closing of the switch, the movement of the diaphragm under l the eiect of vacuum created in the intake manifold moving the entire switch away from the said one end of the wire to permit the spring pressed button to move to switch opened position.

LOUIS FRANK JEZEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,293,569 Stein Feb. 4, 1919 1,771,866 Stevenson et al. July 29, 1930 1,778,347 Aikman Oct. 14, 1930 1,778,713 Good et al. Jan. 13, 1931 1,792,583 Good Feb. 17, 1931 1,814,950 Moscato July 14, 1931 1,862,006 Collins June 7, 1932 1,882,948 Routledge Oct. 18, 1932 1,948,993 Nardone Feb. 27, 1934 1,979,836 Kryzer Nov. 6, 1934 2,122,038 Liverance, Jr June 28, 1938 2,123,133 Callsen July 5, 1938 2,399,542 Collins Apr. 30, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 747,627 France Apr. 4,- 1933 

